Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Florence, SC: $66,699 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Florence, SC job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $66,699 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Florence's local price level (BEA RPP 86.8 — 13% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $76,865 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($97,119) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the field of civil engineering in Florence, SC, can realistically expect a starting civil engineer salary in the vicinity of $66,699. This figure, which marks the tenth percentile for entry-level roles, represents a significant gap compared to the city’s median annual salary of $97,119. While initial compensation might be lower, early-career engineers can anticipate gradual salary growth, with projections indicating that earnings could rise to around $76,942 within the first few years, ultimately striving toward the median as they gain experience. Given Florence's cost of living index of 86.774, which is below the national average, this market currently presents a favorable environment for new grads, especially considering the expected annual growth rate of 2.63% in civil engineering jobs driven by infrastructure investments.
Career Earnings Timeline in Florence
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Florence
Entry-level civil engineers in Florence, SC typically start between $66,699 and $76,942 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $67,326 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $97,119 — 6.16% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in South Carolina of $52,000 represents just 77.96% of the starting civil engineer pay ($66,699/year) in Florence. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates cover ABET-accredited undergraduate civil engineering programs at public and private universities. Licensure (FE after graduation, PE after 4 years experience) adds exam fees. Many engineers pursue master's degrees (MS or MEng).
CE, PE Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Florence
- 1Research the Florence market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $66,699 to $76,942, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the civil engineering field — employers in SC often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Florence, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Florence for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Florence's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Civil Engineer Compensation Range
The civil engineer wage spread in Florence is $67,326 ( 100.94%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $66,699, experienced hygienists can earn up to $134,025.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$44,680
2025 BLS Actual
$64,990
2026 Current Est.
$66,699
2019–2027 Growth
+53.2%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Florence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,680 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,510 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,110 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,400 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,260 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,470 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,990 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,699 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,453 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Florence, SC grew 45.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $44,680 in 2019 to $64,990 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $68,453. New graduates entering the Florence job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Florence metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.63% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your civil engineering Career in Florence
|||
Several key employers in Florence are well-known for hiring new civil engineering graduates and offering structured career development. Large consulting firms like AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP actively seek entry-level talent, providing pathways to Professional Engineer (PE) licensure through mentorship and training programs. State departments of transportation (DOT) and federal agencies such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) offer stable government career tracks, including pension benefits that can appeal to new graduates. Alternatively, construction companies like Bechtel and Fluor often look for field-engineering graduates, presenting opportunities for hands-on experience. To maximize earning potential, prospective engineers should focus on obtaining their Fundamental of Engineering (FE) designation during their senior year and continue on to earn their PE license after four years of work experience. With ongoing infrastructure spending from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, there is robust demand in the field, allowing entry-level engineers to expect salary growth in their first few years as they establish their credentials and expand their roles within their companies.
More salary data for Florence, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for civil engineers in Florence in 2026?
How fast do civil engineer salaries grow in Florence?
Is civil engineering school worth it in Florence?
What do new civil engineers make right out of school in Florence?
How do I become a civil engineer in South Carolina?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in South Carolina
Written by Jordan Chen, P.E.
Career Analyst
Jordan Chen has 10 years of experience in structural engineering. He works primarily in urban infrastructure projects.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new civil engineering graduates. A 2.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Florence. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.63%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for civil engineers (SOC 17-2051).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Chen, P.E., a licensed civil engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov